Automatic thermometric regulator



March 18-, 1924. I 1,487,072

R. MACLAREN AUTOMATIC 'I'HERMOMETRIC REGULATOR Filed Dec. 2:5.v 1921 Patented Mar. 18, 1924.

UNITED STATES- ROBERT HACLAREN OF. CULROSS, SCOTLAND;

AUTOMATIC THEBIOME'I'RIC REGULATOR.

Application filed December 23, 1921. Serial No. 524,553.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, Romain MACLAREN, of Blaircastle, Culross, Fife, Scotland, ironfounder, have invented certain new and useful Automatic Thermometric Regulators, of

which the following is a specification.

My invention has for its object to provide an autoniatic'"regulator for electric, steam or hotwaterradiators, the same being also applicable for gas, fire alarm devices, re-

frigerating control and othertemperature.

control uses, and consists in the provision of a variable or fixed thermometric automatic switch operating a relay. This thermometric automatic switch consists of a double U-tube sealed and having a bulbol sphere at or near each end. The larger bulb carries glycerine or other suitable fluid as the medium used for expansion, mercury in the lower portion of the legs and nitrogen or other suitable gas in the remaining upper portions and smaller bulb or sphere. One of the U-tubes carries two or more platinum or other terminals, one in each leg with third terminal to act as a common con; nection at the bend of the tube. I may also suitably fix screw plungers in the bends of the U-tubes for adjustment purposes so that anv temperature range limits can be obtained. The smaller bulb or sphere is inserted to reduce the compression ratio on that side to allow the mercury to move 'freely. If the automatic switch is to be used with the U-tubes in a horizontal position the bore of the tubes should be small enough to prevent flow of the mercury due to ra-vity.

o solenoids are used to operate the radiator regulator valve in the cases of water and steam or such like, or a switch is used if for an electric radiator. The sole-, noids are automatically brought alternately into play as the temperature surrounding the bulb rises or falls thus expanding or contracting the gas or liquid in the bulb, and thus making or cutting off contact.

The current for operating the solenoids is taken from a battery of cells, or other convenient source of supply.

Suitable provision is made for conveniently connecting the regulator to the radiator system.

It is to be understood that although I have hereinafter described one arrangement for operating the radiator regulator valve or electric switch, there are many other ways which might be employed without deviating from the principle of my invention.

In order that my invention may be properly understood and readily carried into effeet, I have hereunto appended one sheet of drawings, of which- Figure 1 is an elevation illustrating one form of variable or fixed thermometric automatic switch.

Figure 2 is a plan of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, the variable or fixed thermometric automatic switch consists of a double continuous U-sha d tube of glass or other suitable material A, from one leg A of which branches a sphere B. At the bottom of tubes A and A, screw cap plungers D and D, are inserted, D to vary range and D, to vary limit. From the le A, of the double U-sha ed tube a smal sphere B, branches and t e extreme end A is closed or sealed. The lower ends A and A, of the U-tubes A and A, may be reduced in bore and the junction A, of the tubes A and A, may also be reduced in bore for convenience in transit. The lower ends of the tubes A, and A contain mercur G, glycerine H, or other fluid takes up t e remaining space in the leg of the U-tube A. which is in connection with the sphere B also filled with glycerine H, or other suitable fluid. The remainder of the double U-tube, i. e. the right hand leg of A, both legs of A, and the sphere B, being filled with nitrogen or other inert gas, the whole of the double U-tube being suitably fixed to the base F. Suitable electric terminals are fixed to the base F at predetermined points being electrically connected by platinum or other suitable material to the inside of the legs of the U-tube A, for example at the points a,, b, 0,, shown in.Figure 1.

Claims.

1. An automatic regulator of the class described comprising a double U-sha ed tube and having a bulb or sphere forming part of one of the U-shaped tubes, the other U-shaped tube being also provided with a small sphere or bulb branching therefrom the. extreme ends 1 of both being sealed, terminals mounted in the lower ends of one of the U-shaped tubes the switch ends of the tubes being filled with mercury, the remaining space in the leg of the tube together wit large sphere being filled with glycerine or other suitable fluid, while the the quantity of mercury in the legs, one to remainder of the double U-tube and smaller vary the range and the other the limit. 10 sphere or bulb are filled with nitrogen or In testimony whereof I aflix my signaother inert gas. ture in presence of two witnesses.

6 2. An automatic regulator as in claim 1, ROBERT MACLAREN.

characterized by two extensions branching Witnesses: from the bottom of the double U-tubes each H. W. BOURNE,

having an adjusting screw cap for varying A. M. KELLY. 

